Unit

19 Present tenses (I am doing / I do) for the future

A Present continuous (I am doing) with a future meaning

This is Ben’s diary for next week.

He is playing tennis on Monday afternoon.
He is going to the dentist on Tuesday morning.
He is meeting Kate on Friday.
In all these examples, Ben has already decided and
arranged to do these things.

I’m doing something (tomorrow etc.) = I have already decided and arranged to do it:
a: What are you doing on Saturday evening? (not What do you do)
b: I’m going to the cinema. (not I go)
a: What time is Katherine arriving tomorrow?
b: Half past ten. We’re meeting her at the station.
I’m not working tomorrow, so we can go out somewhere.
Steve isn’t playing football next Saturday. He’s hurt his leg.
We do not normally use will to talk about what we have arranged to do:
What are you doing tonight? (not What will you do)
Alex is getting married next month. (not will get)
We also use the present continuous for an action just before you start to do it. This happens
especially with verbs of movement (go/come/leave etc.):
I’m tired. I’m going to bed now. Goodnight. (not I go to bed now)
‘Tina, are you ready yet?’ ‘Yes, I’m coming.’ (not I come)

B Present simple (I do) with a future meaning

We use the present simple when we talk about timetables and programmes (for example, transport
or cinema times):
I have to go. My train leaves at 11.30.
What time does the film start tonight?
The meeting is at nine o’clock tomorrow.
You can use the present simple to talk about people if their plans are fixed like a timetable:
I start my new job on Monday.
What time do you finish work tomorrow?
But the continuous is more usual for other personal arrangements:
What time are you meeting Kate tomorrow? (not do you meet)
Compare:

Present continuous Present simple

What time are you arriving? What time does the train arrive?
I’m going to the cinema this evening. The film starts at 8.15.

When you talk about appointments, lessons, exams etc., you can use I have or I’ve got:
I have an exam next week. or I’ve got an exam next week.

38 I’m going to ➜ Units 20, 23 will facebook.com/LinguaLIB

➜ Units 21–22 Present simple after when and if ➜ Unit 25
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 Unit
Exercises 19
19.1 Ask Anna about her holiday plans.

1 (where / go?) Where are you going? Scotland. ANNA

2 (how long / go for?) Ten days.

3 (when / leave?) Next Friday.
4 (go / alone?) No, with a friend.
5 (travel / by car?) No, by train.
6 (where / stay?) In a hotel.

19.2 Complete the sentences.

1 Steve isn’t playing (not / play) football on Saturday. He’s hurt his leg.
2 (We / have) a party next week. We’ve invited all our friends.
3 (I / not / work) tomorrow. It’s a public holiday.
4 (I / leave) now. I’ve come to say goodbye.
5 ‘What time (you / go) out this evening?’ ‘Seven o’clock.’
6 (Laura / not / come) to the party tomorrow. She isn’t well.
7 I love New York. (I / go) there soon.
8 Ben can’t meet us on Monday. (He / work) late.

19.3 Have you arranged to do anything at these times? Write sentences about yourself.
1 (this evening) I’m not doing anything this evening.
2 (tomorrow morning) I
3 (tomorrow evening) I
4 (next Sunday) I
5 (another day or time)

19.4 Complete the sentences. Use the present continuous or present simple.
1 a: Tina, are you ready yet?
b: Yes, I’m coming (I / come).
2 a: (you / go) to Sam’s party on Saturday?
b: No, I haven’t been invited.
3 a: Has Jack moved into his new apartment yet?
b: Not yet, but (he / move) soon – probably at the end of the month.
4 a: (I / go) to a concert tonight.
b: That’s nice. What time (it / start)?
5 a: Have you seen Chris recently?
b: No, but (we / meet) for lunch next week.
6 a: (you / do) anything tomorrow morning?
b: No, I’m free. Why?
7 a: When (this term / end)?
b: Next Friday. And next term (start) four weeks after that.
8 a: (We / go) to a wedding at the weekend.
b: Really? (Who / get) married?
9 a: There’s football on TV later tonight. (you / watch) it?
b: No, I’m not interested.
10 a: What time is your train tomorrow?
b: It (leave) at 9.35 and (arrive) at 12.47.
11 a: I’d like to go and see the exhibition at the museum. How long is it on for?
b: (It / finish) next week.
12 a: Do you need the car this evening?
b: No, you can have it. (I / not / use) it.

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Unit
20 I’m going to (do)
A I am going to do something = I have already decided to do it, I intend to do it:
‘Are you going to eat anything?’ ‘No, I’m not hungry.’
a: I hear Sarah won the lottery. What is she going to do with the money?
b: She’s going to buy a new car.
I’m just going to make a quick phone call. Can you wait for me?
This cheese smells horrible. I’m not going to eat it.

B I am doing and I am going to do

I am doing = it is already fixed or arranged. For example, you have arranged to go somewhere
or meet somebody:
I’m leaving next week. I’ve booked my flight.
What time are you meeting Emily this evening?
I am going to do something = I’ve decided to do it. Maybe I’ve arranged to do it, maybe not.
a: Your shoes are dirty.
b: Yes, I know. I’m going to clean them.
(= I’ve decided to clean them, but I haven’t arranged this with anybody)
I don’t want to stay here. Tomorrow I’m going to look for somewhere else to stay.
Compare:
I don’t know what I’m doing tomorrow. (= I don’t know my schedule or plans)
I don’t know what I’m going to do about the problem. (= I haven’t decided what to do)
Often the difference is small and either form is possible.

C You can also say that ‘something is going to happen’ in the future. For example:

The man isn’t looking where he is going.

He is going to walk into the wall.
When we say that ‘something is going to happen’,
the situation now makes this clear.
The man is walking towards the wall now, so we
can see that he is going to walk into it.

going to

now future

Some more examples:

Look at those black clouds! It’s going to rain. (we can see the clouds now)
I feel terrible. I think I’m going to be sick. (I feel terrible now)
The economic situation is bad now and things are going to get worse.

D I was going to do something = I intended to do it, but didn’t do it:

We were going to travel by train, but then we decided to drive instead.
I was just going to cross the road when somebody shouted ‘Stop!’
You can say that ‘something was going to happen’ (but didn’t happen):
I thought it was going to rain, but it didn’t.

40 I am doing (future) ➜ Unit 19A I will and I’m going to ➜ Unit 23

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 Unit
Exercises 20
20.1 Write questions with going to.
1 Your friend has won some money. You ask:
(what / do?) What are you going to do with it?
2 Your friend is going to a wedding next week. You ask:
(what / wear?)
3 Your friend has just bought a new table. You ask:
(where / put?)
4 Your friend has decided to have a party. You ask:
(who / invite?)
5 Your friend has bought some fish for dinner. You ask:
(how / cook?)

20.2 Complete the sentences using I’m going to … / I’m not going to … . Choose from:
complain learn run say try wash not/accept not/eat not/tell

1 This cheese smells horrible. I’m not going to eat it.

2 I haven’t been trying hard enough. From now on harder.
3 I have to make a speech tomorrow, but I don’t know what .
4 ‘The car is very dirty.’ ‘I know. it.’
5 I’ve been offered a job, but it. The pay is too low.
6 a language, but I haven’t decided yet which one.
7 One day in a marathon. It’s my ambition.
8 The food in this restaurant is awful. .
9 Ben doesn’t need to know what happened, so him.

20.3 What is going to happen in these situations? Use the words in brackets.
1 There are a lot of black clouds in the sky.
(rain) It’s going to rain.
2 It is 8.30. Tom is leaving home. He has to be at work at 8.45, but the journey takes 30 minutes.
(late) He
3 There is a hole in the bottom of the boat. A lot of water is coming in through the hole.
(sink) The boat
4 Amy and Ben are driving. The tank is nearly empty. It’s a long way to the nearest petrol station.
(run out) They
5 Sarah’s car was badly damaged in an accident. Now it has to be repaired.
(cost a lot) It to repair the car.

20.4 Complete the sentences with was/were going to. Choose from:
be buy give up phone play say travel

1 We were going to travel by train, but then we decided to go by car instead.

2 I some new clothes yesterday, but I didn’t have time to
go to the shops.
3 Tom and I tennis last week, but he’d hurt his knee and had
to cancel.
4 I Jane, but I sent her an email instead.
5 I thought the exam hard, but it was easier than I expected.
6 Peter his job, but in the end he decided to stay where
he was.
7 I’m sorry I interrupted you. What you ?

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Unit
21 will and shall 1
A We use I’ll … (= I will) when we’ve just decided to do something. When we say ‘I’ll do something’,
we announce our decision:
Oh, I left the door open. I’ll go and shut it.
‘What would you like to drink?’ ‘I’ll have orange juice, please.’
‘Did you call Max?’ ‘Oh no, I forgot. I’ll call him now.’
We do not use the present simple (I do / I go etc.) in these sentences:
I’ll phone him now. (not I phone him now)
We often use I think I’ll … / I don’t think I’ll … :
I’m a little hungry. I think I’ll have something to eat.
I don’t think I’ll go out tonight. I’m too tired.
In spoken English will not is usually won’t:
I can see you’re busy, so I won’t stay long. (= I will not stay long)

B We often use I’ll in these situations:

Offering to do something I’ll help you.

That bag looks heavy. I’ll help you with it. (not I help)
Agreeing to do something
a: Can you give Tom this book?
b: Sure, I’ll give it to him when I see him this afternoon.
Promising to do something
Thanks for lending me the money. I’ll pay you back on Friday.
I won’t tell anyone what happened. I promise.

The car won’t start.

We use won’t to say that somebody refuses to do something:
I’ve tried to give her advice, but she won’t listen.
The car won’t start. (= the car ‘refuses’ to start)
Will you (do something)? = please do it:
Will you please turn the music down? It’s too loud.

C We do not use will to talk about what has been decided or arranged before:
I’m going on holiday next Saturday. (not I’ll go)
Compare:
I’m meeting Kate tomorrow morning. (decided before)
a: I’ll meet you at half past ten, OK?
b: Fine. See you then. (decided now)

D We use shall mostly in the questions shall I … ? / shall we … ?

We use shall I … ? / shall we … ? to ask if it’s OK to do something or to ask for a suggestion:
Shall I open the window? (= do you want me to open it?)
I’ve got no money. What shall I do? (= what do you suggest?)
‘Shall we go?’ ‘Just a minute. I’m not ready yet.’
‘Where shall we have lunch?’ ‘Let’s go to Marino’s.’
Compare shall I … ? and will you … ? :
Shall I shut the door? (= do you want me to shut it?)
Will you shut the door? (= I want you to shut it)

I am doing (future) ➜ Unit 19 will and shall 2 ➜ Unit 22 I will and I’m going to ➜ Unit 23
42 American English ➜ Appendix 7 facebook.com/LinguaLIB
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 Unit
Exercises 21
21.1 Complete the sentences with I’ll + a suitable verb.
1 ‘How are you going to get home?’ ‘I think I’ll take a taxi.’
2 ‘It’s cold in this room.’ ‘Is it? on the heating then.’
3 ‘Are you free next Friday?’ ‘Let me see. my diary.’
4 ‘Shall I do the washing-up?’ ‘No, it’s all right. it later.’
5 ‘I don’t know how to use this phone.’ ‘OK, you.’
6 ‘Would you like tea or coffee?’ ‘ coffee, please.’
7 ‘Are you coming with us?’ ‘No, I think here.’
8 ‘Can you finish this report today?’ ‘Well, , but I can’t promise.’

21.2 Read the situations and write sentences with I think I’ll … or I don’t think I’ll … .
1 It’s a bit cold. The window is open and you decide to close it. You say:
It’s cold with the window open. I think I’ll close it.
2 You are feeling tired and it’s getting late. You decide to go to bed. You say:
I’m tired, so . Goodnight!
3 The weather is nice and you need some exercise. You decide to go for a walk. You say:
It’s a lovely morning. . Do you want to come too?
4 You were going to have lunch. Now you decide you don’t want to eat anything. You say:
I don’t feel hungry any more. lunch.
5 You planned to go swimming today. Now you decide not to go. You say:
I’ve got a lot to do, so today.

21.3 Which is correct?

1 ‘Did you call Max?’ ‘Oh no, I forgot. I call / I’ll call him now.’ (I’ll call is correct)
2 I can’t meet you tomorrow morning. I’m playing / I’ll play tennis. (I’m playing is correct)
3 ‘I meet / I’ll meet you outside the hotel at 10.30, OK?’ ‘Yes, that’s fine.’
4 ‘Please don’t go yet.’ ‘OK, I’m staying / I’ll stay a little longer, but I have to go soon.’
5 I’m having / I’ll have a party next Saturday. I hope you can come.
6 ‘Remember to lock the door when you go out.’ ‘OK. I don’t forget / I won’t forget.’
7 ‘Do you have any plans for the weekend?’ ‘Yes, we’re going / we’ll go to a wedding.’
8 ‘Are you doing / Will you do anything tomorrow evening?’ ‘No, I’m free. Why?’
9 ‘Do you do / Will you do something for me?’ ‘It depends. What do you want me to do?’
10 ‘Do you go / Will you go to work by car?’ ‘Not usually. I prefer to walk.’
11 I asked Sue what happened, but she doesn’t tell / won’t tell me.
12 I don’t know if I can win the race tomorrow, but I’m doing / I’ll do my best.

21.4 What do you say in these situations? Write sentences with shall I … ? or shall we … ?
1 You and a friend want to do something this evening, but you don’t know what.
You say: What shall we do this evening? Do you want to go somewhere?
2 You and a friend are going on holiday together, but you have to decide where.
You ask your friend: ?
3 You try on a jacket in a shop. You are not sure whether to buy it or not.
You ask a friend for advice: ? What do you think?
4 You and a friend are going out. You have to decide whether to get a taxi or to walk.
You ask your friend: or ?
5 It’s Helen’s birthday soon. You want to give her a present, but what?
You ask a friend: What ? Any ideas?
6 You’re meeting a friend tomorrow, but you have to decide what time.
You say: ? Is 10.30 OK for you?

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Unit
22 will and shall 2
A We do not use will to say what somebody has already arranged or decided to do:
Lisa is working next week. (not Lisa will work)
Are you going to watch TV this evening? (not will you watch)
See Units 19–20.
We use will to say what we know or believe about the future (not what someone has already decided).
For example:
Kate has her driving test next week. Joe believes that Kate will pass
Yes, she’s a good driver.
Chris and Joe are talking about it. the driving test.
She’ll pass easily.
He is predicting the future.
When we predict a future
Do you think happening or situation, we use
Kate will pass? will/won’t.

CHRIS JOE

Some more examples:

They’ve been away a long time. When they return, they’ll find a lot of changes here.
‘Where will you be this time next year?’ ‘I’ll be in Japan.’
That plate is hot. If you touch it, you’ll burn yourself.
Anna looks completely different now. You won’t recognise her.
When will you get your exam results?
Compare:
I think James is going to the party on Friday. (= I think he has already decided to go)
I think James will go to the party on Friday. (= I think he will decide to go)

B We often use will (’ll) with:

probably I’ll probably be home late tonight.
I’m sure Don’t worry about the exam. I’m sure you’ll pass.
I think Do you think Sarah will like the present we bought her?
I don’t think I don’t think the exam will be very difficult.
I wonder I wonder what will happen.
After I hope, we generally use the present:
I hope Kate passes the driving test.
I hope it doesn’t rain tomorrow.

C Generally we use will to talk about the future, but sometimes we use will to talk about now:
Don’t phone Amy now. She’ll be busy. (= she’ll be busy now)

D Normally we use shall only with I and we. You can say:
I shall or I will (I’ll) we shall or we will (we’ll)
I shall be late this evening. (or I will be)
We shall probably go to France in June. (or We will probably go)
In spoken English we normally use I’ll and we’ll:
We’ll probably go to France.
The negative of shall is shall not or shan’t:
I shan’t be here tomorrow. (or I won’t be)
We do not normally use shall with he/she/it/you/they:
She will be very angry. (not She shall be)

will and shall 1 ➜ Unit 21 I will and I’m going to ➜ Unit 23 will be doing and will have done ➜ Unit 24
44 will have to ➜ Unit 31A The future ➜ Appendix 3 American English ➜ Appendix 7
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 Unit
Exercises 22
22.1 Put in will (’ll) or won’t.
1 Can you wait for me? I won’t be long.
2 There’s no point in asking Amanda for advice. She know what to do.
3 I’m glad I’m meeting Emma tomorrow. It be good to see her again.
4 I’m sorry about what happened yesterday. It happen again.
5 You don’t need to take an umbrella with you. I don’t think it rain.
6 I’ve got some incredible news! You believe it.

22.2 Complete the sentences using will (’ll). Choose from the following:
it/be she/come you/get you/like you/enjoy
people/live it/look we/meet you/pass she/mind
1 Don’t worry about your exam. I’m sure you’ll pass .
2 Why don’t you try on this jacket? nice on you.
3 You must meet Max sometime. I think him.
4 It’s a very nice hotel. your stay there.
5 It’s raining hard. Don’t go out. very wet.
6 Do you think longer in the future?
7 Goodbye! I’m sure again before long.
8 I’ve invited Anna to the party, but I don’t think .
9 You can borrow Amy’s umbrella. I don’t think .
10 It takes me an hour to get to work at the moment. When the new road is finished,
much quicker.

22.3 Write questions using do you think … will … ? + the following:

be back cost end get married happen like rain
1 I’ve bought this picture for Karen. Do you think she’ll like it ?
2 The weather doesn’t look very good. Do you ?
3 The meeting is still going on. When do you ?
4 My car needs to be repaired. How much ?
5 Sally and David are in love. Do ?
6 ‘I’m going out now.’ ‘OK. What time ?’
7 The future situation is uncertain. What ?

22.4 Where do you think you will be at these times? Write sentences about yourself. Use:
I’ll be … or I’ll probably be … or I don’t know where …
1 (next Monday evening at 7.45) I’ll probably be at home.
2 (at 3 am tomorrow)
3 (at 10.30 tomorrow morning)
4 (next Friday afternoon at 4.15)
5 (this time next year)

22.5 Which is better in these sentences?

1 Lisa isn’t free on Saturday. She’ll work / She’s working. (She’s working is correct)
2 It was an amazing experience. I never forget it. / I’ll never forget it.
3 Something very funny happened. You’re laughing / You’ll laugh when I tell you about it.
4 I’ll go / I’m going to a party tomorrow night. Would you like to come too?
5 Who do you think will win / is winning the game tomorrow?
6 I can’t meet you this evening. A friend of mine will come / is coming to see me.
7 Don’t be afraid of the dog. It won’t hurt / It isn’t hurting you.
8 What’s happening / What will happen if I press this button?
9 a: Have you decided where to go for your holidays?
b: Yes, we’ll go / we’re going to Italy.
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